PMPS, leading packaged metering and pumping solution provider in South Africa, is soon to launch Italian OBL Polisol automatic polymer preparation plant to the South African market. Used in water and waste water treatment plants, the system’s unrivalled wetting-in capabilities mean better, higher quality yields of the world’s most precious resource: water.

Water is fast becoming central to the South African economy – and way of life – a fact that necessitates a rethink about how efficiently this resource is processed, used and reused. Packaged Metering & Pumping Solutions’ (PMPS) Technical Director, David O’Neill comments, “There is now an increasing need for improved water treatment infrastructure in South Africa, which is why we have decided to introduce the OBL Polisol system to the country.”

The Polisol system comprises automatic plants for continuous preparation of dosing of dry polymer. Used to prepare and mature dry polymer beads or powder by dissolving it into water to form a uniform and consistent concentration of polymer solution, the system is predominantly utilised in water and waste water plants to aid in the aggregation of small suspended particles to form a floc for filtering or settling out.

While there are many polymer systems available in South Africa, the Polisol system comes with a number of distinctive advantages.

“The main differentiating factor between the Polisol system and others is the initial point at which the dry polymer is wetted. The device has to ensure that the polymer beads are constantly wetted, or it will form lumps and ‘snake eyes’, which both hinder the treatment process,” remarks O’Neill. “OBL’s patented wetting-in device uses a vortex and venturi to keep this from occurring, ensuring a high-quality dilution,” he says.

The OBL Polisol range includes the AISI 304 Tank & Hopper as well as the PP Tank with AISI 304 Hopper. Standard units with either two or three compartments are able to provide from 450 to 10 000 litres/hour output per day of 0.5% polymer solutions.

Mimic control panels make the system easier to start up and control and forced dilution takes place by means of a dilution funnel with built-in venturi system. Plants can also be combined on demand to accommodate for both dry and liquid polymerand optional local pneumatic filling system.

The Polisol system, originating from Italy, has been manufactured and used in Europe for over 30 years, during which time it has evolved in line with advancements in technology.

“With higher demand for the system, we will consider manufacturing locally, which will have a knock-on effect in terms of employment creation and skills training,” says O’Neill. “For now, we have a trained and highly qualified team of service technicians and engineering staff ready to offer customers support and expertise on the Polisol system at short notice,” he adds.

With capital buy-in between R130 000 and R500 000 on the Polisol system, depending on the size and configuration of the system, PMPS is able to customise the system to suit the desired application. “We have the capability to provide a skid system including dosing pumps, flowmeters and valves, for example, to render the system fully functional as a standalone plant,” O’Neill comments, concluding, “There is no more pressing time than the present for South Africa to take a proactive stance on its water and waste water treatment infrastructure. With its high-quality hardware, superior yields and customisable features, the Polisol system represents the means to a clearer, cleaner future for South Africa’s water supply.”